Abstract: Objective  To investigate the level of self-directed learning ability among undergraduate nursing students， and to analyze the relationship among general self-efficacy， critical thinking and self-directed learning. Methods  Totally 193 undergraduate nursing students were investigated with the Self-directed Learning Questionnaire， General Self-Efficacy Scale（GSES） and Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory-Chinese Version（CTDI-CV）. Results  The total scores of self-directed learning，general self-efficacy and critical thinking were（106.79±11.82），（2.52±0.44） and（285.94±31.78），respectively. Self-efficacy， inquisitiveness， systematicity and critical thinking self-confidence were influence factors of self-directed learning. Conclusion  Self-efficacy and critical thinking affect nursing students’ self-directed learning ability. It is suggested to promote students’ self-directed learning by enhancing their self-efficacy and critical thinking.

Key words: Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate； Self-directed learning； Self-efficacy； Critical thinking